Nara

About Nara

Nara is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan, 40km from Kyoto.
The city was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784, lending its name to the Nara period. This preceded the Heian period 794-1869 when the nation’s capital was Kyoto.
“Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”, is designated at UNESCO World Heritage Site. This includes eight temples, shrines and ruins in the town, specifically Tōdai-ji, Saidai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Kasuga Shrine, Gangō-ji, Yakushi-ji, Tōshōdai-ji and the Heijō Palace remains, together with Kasugayama Primeval Forest.

According to the legendary history of Kasuga Shrine, a mythological god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijō-kyō. Since then the deer have been regarded as heavenly animals, protecting the city and the country. Tame deer roam through the town, especially in Nara Park. Snack vendors sell “shika sembei” (deer biscuits) to visitors so they can enjoy feeding the deer. Some of the deer have learned to bow in response to tourists’ bows.